Varna Declaration on Cultural Corridors in South-East Europe23-05-2005 6:15 pm - (Press Release N°2005-61)The Summit of heads of state of South-East Europe*, which took place in Bulgaria on May 20 and 21, closed with the adoption of the Varna Declaration pledging to “contribute to the promotion of cultural heritage and cultural corridors within the region.” It also pledges to “promote urgent measures for the protection of cultural heritage at risk within the region, including continuing action to counter the illicit traffic in cultural property.” MoreArabic | Russian

UNESCO and FAO launch training CD-Rom on digitisation for librarians and laymen13-05-2005 4:30 pm - (Press Release N°2005-56)UNESCO and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization are launching the “Digitization and Digital Libraries” module to teach librarians and laymen how to digitize documents and put them on line and create virtual libraries. The kit, available from the FAO and UNESCO free of charge, is compatible with a wide range of computers, Pentium I and later, as well as older operating systems, making it particularly well-suited for users in developing countries. MoreArabic | Russian

Session Of Unesco’s Executive Board Closes With Tangible Results28-04-2005 6:15 pm - (Press Release N°2005-50)The 171st session of UNESCO’s Executive Board, chaired by Ambassador Hans-Heinrich Wrede (Germany), closed today following more than two weeks of debate devoted notably to the preparation of UNESCO’s General Conference to be held next October. The session was “very intensive”, dominated by the question of how to “turn good ideas into good strategies, and from there, into solid application and follow up” said Ambassador Wrede. MoreArabic | Russian

Major archaeological discoveries in Aksum25-04-2005 4:10 pm - (Press Release N°2005-47)Major archaeological vestiges have been discovered at the World Heritage site of Aksum (Ethiopia) by the experts UNESCO sent to Aksum (Ethiopia) to survey the World Heritage Site last week. They were sent to prepare for the elevation of the Aksum Obelisk at its original location. The last segment of the 160-tonne 24.6-metre high stele arrived at the airport of Aksum this morning. It had been in Rome since 1937. MoreArabic

Space branch of Chinese Science Academy joins UNESCO’s World Heritage Preservation14-04-2005 3:25 pm - (Press Release N°2005-43)China has signed an agreement to join UNESCO in the Open Initiative on the Use of Space Technology in Support of the World Heritage Convention. The signing - by Guo Huadong, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of its Joint Laboratory for Remote Sensing Archaeology, and Marcio Barbosa, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO – took place at Organization Headquarters on April 13. MoreArabic | Russian

President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania at UNESCO11-04-2005 5:00 pm - (Press Release N°2005-41)President Maaouya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania today opened a conference and an exhibition at UNESCO Headquarters celebrating the cultural heritage of Mauritania and its ancient cities of Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata. During his visit the President also held talks with UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. MoreArabic | Russian

Experts warn ecosystem changes threaten development30-03-2005 10:00 am - (Press Release N°2005-35)A landmark study launched worldwide today shows that approximately 60 percent of the ecosystem services that support life on Earth are being degraded or used unsustainably. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) Synthesis Report,* compiled by 1,300 scientists in 95 countries, warns that the harmful consequences of this degradation could grow significantly worse in the next 50 years. MoreRussian

Finalists chosen for “Mondialogo Engineering Award”16-03-2005 4:15 pm - (Press Release N°2005-30)An international jury has nominated the finalists for the “Mondialogo Engineering Award”, the first worldwide intercultural contest seeking ideas for sustainable technical improvements in developing countries. Forty project ideas from international universities, selected from 111 proposals, have now been short-listed for one of up to 20 awards totalling 300,000 euros in prize money. The winners will be announced during an international ceremony at the end of May in Berlin. MoreRussian | Arabic

Cooperation agreement signed by UNESCO and NASA01-03-2005 6:00 pm - (Communiqué de presse N°2005-23)Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, and Frederick D. Gregory, Deputy Administrator of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), today signed a cooperation agreement at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C. MoreArabic | Russian

Macedonian baritone Boris Trajanov named UNESCO Artist for Peace22-02-2005 11:15 am - (Press Release N°2005-22)Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO, will name Macedonian opera singer Boris Trajanov UNESCO Artist for Peace on February 24 during a ceremony at Organization Headquarters (Room I, 6.30 p.m.). Mr Trajanov will then give a recital, to be followed by a performance of folk dancing by the group Tanec. MoreArabic | Russian

Brenz Band appointed UNESCO Artist for Peace31-01-2005 4:55 pm - (Press Release No 2005-14)Brenz Band, a German group of handicapped musicians, will be appointed a UNESCO Artist for Peace for 2005-2006 by Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura on February 3, at a ceremony to be held at UNESCO Headquarters (Restaurant, 7th floor) at 6 p.m. MoreArabic | Russian